Candy "Parsley" Davis, songsmith, vocals, 12-string guitar, Native American flute; Joel G. "Sagebrush" Aud, songsmith, vocals, 6-string guitar, bass guitar, percussion toys, African drum; Jen "Rosemary"Friend Aud, flute; and Tom "Thyme" Leverett ("Thyme"--prounounced "Tom"), fiddle and banjo.
Many thanks also to our guest musicians extraordinaire, Randy Auxier, bass guitarist from the Bone Dry River Band and Bryan Kelso Crow, host of Celtic Connections, member of The Dorians, who played the accordion track on "Eastward, Ho!"
Influences
For melodies and harmonies: Classical, Renaissance, Chants
Folk/Rock: John Denver, Joe Henry, Bill Danoff, James Taylor, The Beatles, Joan Baez, Anne Murray; Peter, Paul, and Mary; and Judy Collins. Curtis and Loretta, Still on the Hill, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Hunter Moore, Mike Williams, Sonja and Disappear Fear, and many, many other indie folk artists who are our friends.
Bluegrass/Celtic: So MANY of the old songs have their origins lost in the misty mountains of Appalachia and further back in time in the British Isles!
Country: Reba McEntyre, Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, George Strait, and many others, too.
Sounds Like
Hard telling as a band--you decide! Maybe we invented original folkgrass/country fusion--at least our brand of it. Some folks have told me my voice (Parsley's) sounds a little like Loretta Simonet; others have told me I'm a little bit "Anne Murray." Everyone has their own perceptions, I think.
Candy Davis has been a self-taught singer-songwriter since 1976 and a musician since childhood. She played out as a solo singer for many years, but from time to time, also teamed up with others.
Parsley & Sagebrush Band (known sometimes as "PSB") was "born" when Candy teamed up with her friend Joel G. Aud to write, sing, and play music together in January 2003. Joel had a resonant baritone/bass voice with lots of range, basic knowledge of guitar chords, and could play harmonica competently--like Candy, he was largely self-taught and had a good ear, but had no performing experience. Joel honed his skills by apprenticing with Candy "on the job," and soon they were a tight duo, playing a circuit of coffeehouses and festivals with a small, but loyal audience. Candy's music was lyrical, with old-fashioned modal-sounding melodies. Joel, on the other hand, favored more robust tunes with a cowboy flavor to them. Their shows reflected the dynamic tension and meld between these two styles, and it worked well.
How did they get their unusual name? Well, one of their most requested cover songs was "Scarborough Fair." Shortly after they began performing together, Joel suggested they pick a name that referenced the traditional folk song. "We could be Rosemary & Thyme," he said. Candy liked the name. But an hour before the gig where they would debut using it, she had a brainstorm. "I do like your idea," Candy told Joel. "But I had another name to run past you: How about instead we become "Parsley & Sage-BRUSH? Parsley 'cause I'm sort of 'green and environmental; 'Sagebrush,' because you're a little bit 'cowboy." After Joel stopped laughing, he agreed that would truly fit what they do!
In April 2004, they released their first CD, entitled "Extraordinary Friends." The album has 16 songs, 14 of which are originals. The album ranges from story songs to political/environmental to humorous songs--probably the only album out there that recommends we "draft the elderly," tells the tragic story of an extinct fossil ape, and grumbles about e-mail spam! (To preview/purchase "Extraordinary Friends" on line, go to www.cdbaby.com/parsleysagebrush)
For two years, Parsley & Sagebrush played as a duo, with Candy on 12-string guitar and vocals and Joel on harmonica, percussion toys, drums and vocals.
But Joel kept thinking: "We could get bigger gigs if we had a fuller sound." He suggested they look for other musicians to play with them. In the fall of 2005, Joel met Jennifer Friend and fell in love. Jen was a good flute player, and Candy agreed she should be part of the band. As their music had no flute parts, Candy taught herself to write fledgling flute harmony descants for Jen to learn. (Later, as Jen became more comfortable with playing with us, she has used her creative energies to re-do the flute parts to make them--well, more "flute-y"! :)) Soon after Jen joined, Candy ran into a fiddle/banjo player she knew from a local song circle. His name was Tom Leverett, and she invited him to join the group. Thus, Parsley & Sagebrush morphed to become (as Tom suggested with typical deadpan humor) "Parsley, Sagebrush, Rosemary, and . . . Tom." As the name is long, they bill themselves instead as the Parsley & Sagebrush Band.
In January 2006, PSB decided to record a second album. It was a challenge for these four busy people to make studio time, but eventually, the album, "Life Goes On," was mixed and bounced in December 2006. It has a fuller sound than the first album, with flute, fiddle, and banjo on many of the brand new songs and guest musicians Randy Auxier and Bryan Kelso Crow adding bass guitar tracks and an accordion track respectively. The new CD, "Life Goes On," was released in May 2007. It has 14 original songs and is now available for sale on line at www.cdbaby.com/parsleysagebrush2
Recently we welcomed a new bandmate: Kevin Roth. Kevin is our new drummer. His background is eclectic (primarily rock and blues), and he has played professionally for many years. He loves raising Saluki dogs. Kevin really helps fill out our sound, and we're really happy he's playing with us!
So what is "original folkgrass music?" Have a listen to our songs, and you will see!
Other links to us: http://parsleysagebrush@blogspot.com
*Folkgrass (noun). Folk-bluegrass-country fusion, coined by Candy "Parsley" Davis to describe our music. (Adj.) Used as a descriptor of the kind of music the Parsley & Sagebrush Band plays; i.e., "folkgrass music." ..realeditorbest profile toolsrealeditorbest profile tools
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"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Thanks for all your support! The show went really well at the Laugh Factory, and the turnout was great!
If you couldn't make it, I have uploaded to my profile seven ten-minute segments from this outstanding variety show featuring Old Time Music, magic, dance, comedy and fun!
You are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for being a friend!!! Hope you had a Happy 4th of July!!!!! God Bless America!!!!!
Wrapped Up In Me is #38 on the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart!!!! I am also #18 on the top 30 Indie Chart this week!!! It is on radio stations across the nation, you can request it now!!!!! Also, If you are around Friday August 28th I'll be having a big show at Tumbleweed Texas in Houston Texas I really hope to see you there!!! Love ~Susan www.susanhickman.com
PS: Sorry if you've already received this... with over 20,000 friends, its kinda hard to keep track!!! Nevertheless we'll do our best to keep our friends informed :D
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Hey, thanks for stopping by and checking it out, I'm glad you liked it, and I really appreciate it! I liked your stuff too, the way you've got the instruments weaving in and out of each other is really great. I'm planning on moving back to Southern Illinois soon, so hopefully I can catch a show sometime, it would be nice to see these songs performed live.
Online Now!
on my face thanks guys
